Beverage container with heating or cooling insert and method of making same

ABSTRACT

A container assembly for maintaining a temperature of a liquid includes an outer wall defining an interior cavity for storing the liquid. The container assembly also includes an inner wall indirectly connected to the outer wall. The inner wall defines an external cavity configured to receive a thermal cartridge for maintaining the temperature of the material within the inner cavity. The thermal cartridge includes a base portion configured to couple the thermal cartridge to the container assembly. The thermal cartridge also includes an insert portion configured to be received by the external cavity. The base portion and the insert portion unitarily form the thermal cartridge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to liquid storage containers, and specifically to a reusable beverage container having a reusable heating and/or cooling element inserted therein.

Many individuals have an active lifestyle and, while living this active life, elect to bring their choice of beverage from home within a container rather than incur the cost and time associated with stopping and purchasing such beverages. For example, people who attend sporting events and other similar functions often times elect to bring their own beverages with them. Also, many workers bring their lunch, including a drink, from home for similar reasons. Furthermore, many parents prepare and send a lunch to school with their children, inclusive of something to drink.

There is usually a time delay between the preparation and consumption of a beverage because the consumer gets thirsty over a period of time. Cool beverages tend to warm with time. Specifically, without refrigeration, over a period of time prior to consumption, cooled beverages will approach ambient temperatures, thereby causing the beverage to be less appealing. Similarly, without routine reheating, over a period of time prior to consumption, heated beverages will approach ambient temperatures, thereby causing the beverage to be less appealing. Further, the freshness of the beverage may be compromised. If certain ingredients are compromised, for e.g., milk-based ingredients and some juices, the beverage could become significantly comprised and possibly cause serious illness to the consumer.

Beverage containers that facilitate maintaining beverages at certain temperatures are known in the art. However, many of these known beverage containers include an outer insulating material that merely slows heat transfer between the beverage and ambient conditions. Also, some of these known beverage containers include inserts that make direct contact with the beverage within the container, thereby increasing the possibility of imparting an unsavory flavor and food contamination to the beverage. Further, some of these known beverage containers are fabricated from expensive materials, for example, metals that include stainless steel. Such metals are susceptible to damage, e.g., denting over time in rugged environments, or through regular usage that may include inadvertent dropping. Moreover, some of these known beverage containers include a number of components that may complicate assembly, disassembly, and cleaning, as well as became misplaced resulting in a container that may no longer be functional.

Therefore, although some conventional beverage containers are known to provide at least some temperature maintenance, a beverage container having an interior cavity configured to receive a thermal, (i.e., a heating and/or cooling) insert that includes a threaded base is needed. More particularly, a beverage container is needed that has a removable insert that can be either heated or chilled and that is fabricated from reusable, sturdy, reliable, inexpensive, and easy-to-clean materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a container assembly for maintaining a temperature of a liquid is provided. The container assembly includes an outer wall defining an interior cavity for storing the liquid. The container assembly also includes an inner wall indirectly connected to the outer wall. The inner wall defines an external cavity configured to receive a thermal cartridge for maintaining the temperature of the material within the inner cavity. The thermal cartridge includes a base portion configured to couple the thermal cartridge to the container assembly. The thermal cartridge also includes an insert portion configured to be received by the external cavity. The base portion and the insert portion unitarily form the thermal cartridge.

In another aspect, a beverage container is provided. The beverage container includes an outer wall partially defining an interior containment volume and a centerline axis extending longitudinally therethrough. The container also includes an inner wall positioned within the interior containment volume. The inner wall is substantially concentrically aligned with the outer wall and the longitudinal centerline axis. The inner wall at least partially defines a first external cavity. The container further includes a thermal cartridge that includes a base portion configured to couple the thermal cartridge to the outer wall. The thermal cartridge also includes an insert portion configured to be received by the first external cavity. The base portion and the insert portion unitarily form the thermal cartridge. The inner wall is configured to separate the thermal cartridge from the interior containment volume.

In yet another aspect, a method of assembling a beverage container is provided. The method includes providing a liquid containment assembly. The assembly includes an outer wall partially defining an interior containment volume and a centerline axis extending longitudinally therethrough. The assembly also includes an inner wall positioned within the interior containment volume. The inner wall is substantially concentrically aligned with the outer wall and the longitudinal centerline axis. The inner wall at least partially defines a first external cavity. The method also includes providing a thermal cartridge that includes a base portion and an insert portion that are unitarily formed together. The method further includes inserting the insert portion into the first external cavity such that the thermal cartridge is separated from the interior containment volume. The method also includes coupling the base portion to the outer wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary beverage container having a base that includes a unitary thermal cartridge and a wing-tipped top cover.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the unitary thermal cartridge and the wing-tipped top cover shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the beverage container shown in FIG. 1 in a partially disassembled condition.

FIG. 4 is a cutaway schematic side view of the beverage container taken along line 4-4 shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 a perspective bottom view of the beverage container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 a perspective top view of the beverage container shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the disclosure by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and use of the disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the disclosure.

One measure of the effectiveness of a beverage container is the temperature and freshness of the beverage contained therein. More specifically, one way to measure the freshness of a beverage within a container is by measuring the temperature of the beverage. Therefore, to be effective, a beverage container should have sufficient cooling and/or heating capacity to facilitate extended periods away from refrigeration and/or external heating sources. Also, the beverage container should facilitate ease of cleaning after each use and be reusable so as to reduce waste. Furthermore, the beverage container should have sufficient strength and resiliency to withstand repeated use, including repeated washings, openings/closings, and rough handling. Moreover, the beverage container should provide sufficient internal storage space to provide for a sufficient volume of either a cooled or heated beverage for extended periods away from external refrigeration and heating means.

The beverage containers described herein, and the methods of assembling such beverage containers, facilitate storage and transport of cooled and/or heated beverages. Specifically, the beverage containers are assembled to maintain a temperature and/or a freshness of a beverage contained therein. More specifically, the beverage containers described herein provide sufficient cooling and/or heating capacity to facilitate extended periods away from refrigeration and/or external heating sources. Also, specifically, the beverage containers described herein include a bottom-loading, threaded reusable cartridge that may be chilled and/or heated. Furthermore, the cartridge is inserted into a sleeve defined within a beverage compartment such that the cartridge and the beverage are separated by the inner wall of the beverage compartment. Moreover, the beverage containers described herein are fabricated from reusable, sturdy, reliable, inexpensive, and easy-to-clean materials that are assembled to have sufficient strength and resiliency to withstand repeated use, including repeated washings, openings/closings, and rough handling during transport and storage. Also, the beverage containers described herein include only four parts that each facilitate ease of cleaning after each use and are then reusable so as to reduce waste.

As used herein, the terms “unitarily” and “unitary” define a device, assembly, and/or component that are fabricated as a solitary, integrated unit, and is substantially indivisible without destructive methods.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary beverage container 100 having a base 102 that includes a unitary thermal cartridge 104 and a wing-tipped top cover 105. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of unitary thermal cartridge 104 and wing-tipped top cover 105. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of beverage container 100 in a partially disassembled condition. FIG. 4 is a cutaway schematic side view of beverage container 100 taken along line 4-4 (shown in FIG. 3). FIG. 5 a perspective bottom view of beverage container 100. FIG. 6 a perspective top view of beverage container 100.

Beverage container 100 also includes a liquid containment assembly 106. Assembly 106 includes an outer wall 108 that at least partially defines an interior containment volume 110 and a centerline axis 112 extending longitudinally through beverage container 100. Interior containment volume 110 defines a longitudinal length L₁. Assembly 106 also includes an inner wall 114 positioned within interior containment volume 110 and coupled to outer wall 108 via a floor portion 115. Inner wall 114 is substantially concentrically aligned with outer wall 108 and longitudinal centerline axis 112. Also, inner wall 114 has a longitudinal length L₂ that is within a range of 0.4*L₁ and 0.6*L₁. In the exemplary embodiment, inner wall 114 extends into interior containment volume 110 with length L₂ having a value approximately 50% of length L₁. Alternatively, inner wall 114 may extend into interior containment volume 110 with any length L₂ that enables operation of beverage container 100 as described herein. Also, in the exemplary embodiment, outer wall 108 and inner wall 114 are substantially transparent. Alternatively, outer wall 108 and inner wall 114 may be jointly, or separately, one of transparent, translucent, and opaque. Inner wall 114 is configured to separate thermal cartridge 104 from interior containment volume 110.

Further, in the exemplary embodiment, inner wall 114 defines a first external cavity 116 extending inwardly toward interior containment volume 110. As used herein, the term “external cavity” is used to describe a cavity defined external to interior containment volume 110 as specifically defined herein. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, outer wall 108 defines a second external cavity 118 on a bottom end 120 of outer wall 108. Second external cavity 118 is communicatively coupled to first external cavity 116. Also, in the exemplary embodiment, outer wall 108 defines a third external cavity 122 on a top end 124 of outer wall 108. Bottom end 120 defines a bottom threaded portion 126 and top end 124 defines a first top threaded portion 128 and a second top threaded portion 130 (not shown in FIG. 1).

Thermal cartridge 104 includes an insert portion 132 and a base portion 134. Insert portion 132 is configured to be received by first external cavity 116 and is thermally coupled to inner wall 114 via a friction fit. The friction fit is facilitated by forming insert portion 132 and defining first external cavity 116 to have substantially similar dimensions. Base portion 134 is unitarily formed with insert portion 132. In the exemplary embodiment, base portion 134 is configured to facilitate positioning beverage container 100 in a vertical upright position. Base portion 134 includes a base threaded portion 136 that is configured to be received within second external cavity 118 and engages bottom threaded portion 126. In the exemplary embodiment, bottom threaded portion 126 includes male threads and base threaded portion 134 includes female threads. Alternatively, any thread configuration that enables operation of beverage container 100 as described herein is used, including, without limitation, any thread pitch and any number of threads. Alternatively, any method to engage base portion 134 with bottom end 120 of outer wall 108, including, without limitation, an interference fit and a clasping mechanism.

In the exemplary embodiment, in FIGS. 1 through 6, insert portion 132 and base portion 134 are shown to be of varying radii referenced to, and extending from, longitudinal axis 112. Alternatively, base portion 134 and insert portion 132 may have any values for radii that enable operation of beverage container 100 as described herein, including, without limitation, substantially similar radii referenced to, and extending from, longitudinal axis 112.

In the exemplary embodiment, wing-tipped top cover 105 includes a pair of wing-tips 138 unitarily formed with a cover threaded portion 140 that engages second top threaded portion 130. Also, in the exemplary embodiment, cover threaded portion 140 includes female threads and second top threaded portion 130 includes male threads. Alternatively, any thread configuration that enables operation of beverage container 100 as described herein is used, including, without limitation, any thread pitch and any number of threads.

Further, in the exemplary embodiment, beverage container 100 includes a nozzle assembly 142 for facilitating consumption of the beverage from beverage container 100. Nozzle assembly 142 includes a mouth portion 144, a threaded coupling portion 146, and a flexing portion 148. Mouth portion 144, coupling portion 146, and flexing portion 148 are unitarily formed together. In the exemplary embodiment, threaded coupling portion 146 engages first top threaded portion 128 and second top threaded portion 130. Also, in the exemplary embodiment, threaded coupling portion 146 includes female threads and first and second top threaded portions 128 and 130, respectively, include male threads. Alternatively, any thread configuration that enables operation of beverage container 100 as described herein may be used, including, without limitation, any thread pitch and any number of threads.

First and second top threaded portions 128 and 130 are configured to receive threaded coupling portion 146 such that portion 146 is first screwed through second top threaded portion 130 first, and screwed through first top threaded portion 128 second for securing nozzle assembly 142 to top end 124 of outer wall 108. Second top threaded portion 130 is configured to receive wing-tipped top cover 105 for securing top cover 105 to top end 124. Wing-tipped top cover 105 is configured to extend about, enclose, and protect nozzle assembly 142.

In the exemplary embodiment, beverage container 100 includes a thermal cartridge assembly 150 formed therein. Specifically, thermal cartridge assembly 150 includes inner wall 114, floor portion 115, first external cavity 116, second external cavity 118, bottom end 120 of outer wall 108, and thermal cartridge 104.

In the exemplary embodiment, beverage container 100 is assembled by forming liquid containment assembly 106. Liquid containment assembly 106, including inner wall 114, floor portion 115, bottom end 120 and top end 124 of outer wall 108, and associated threaded portions 126, 128, and 130, respectively, are substantially formed of a transparent, durable, engineered plastic, for example, without limitation, TRITAN™ (manufactured by Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, Tenn., U.S.) and polypropylene.

Also, in the exemplary embodiment, beverage container 100 is assembled by forming thermal cartridge 104, including base portion 134 and insert portion 132. Insert portion 132 and base portion 134 are unitarily formed together. Moreover, portions 132 and 134 are substantially formed of an opaque or translucent, durable, engineered plastic, for example, without limitation, TRITAN™, polypropylene, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Further, in the exemplary embodiment, base portion 134 and insert portion 132 are substantially hollow and a thermal material (not shown in FIGS. 1-6) is injected therein. The thermal material is substantially similar to that found in a commercially-available cold pack and is adapted to maintain a low temperature (i.e., a temperature below a predefined temperature) for an extended period of time after being refrigerated or frozen. Moreover, the thermal material may also be adaptable to maintain an elevated temperature (i.e., a temperature above a predefined temperature) after being heated. Therefore, the thermal material inside thermal cartridge 104 facilitates maintaining a beverage approximately at a desired temperature to reduce the potential for spoilage when the beverage will not be immediately consumed.

Further, in the exemplary embodiment, beverage container 100 is assembled by inserting insert portion 132 of thermal cartridge 104 into first external cavity 116 via second external cavity 118 such that insert portion 132 is thermally coupled to inner wall 114 via a friction fit. Base portion 134 of thermal cartridge 104 is inserted into second external cavity 118 and is removably coupled to bottom end 120 of outer wall 108 via screwing threaded portions 126 and 136 together until base portion 134 contacts floor portion 115 of liquid containment assembly 106.

Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, beverage container 100 is assembled by forming nozzle assembly 142, including mouth portion 144, threaded coupling portion 146, and flexing portion 148. Mouth portion 144 and threaded coupling portion 146 are substantially formed of an opaque, durable, engineered plastic, for example, without limitation, TRITAN™ and polypropylene. Flexing portion 148 is substantially formed of an opaque, durable, and flexible elastomeric material including, without limitation, silicone rubber and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Portions 144, 146, and 148 are unitarily formed together via injection molding techniques, such as overmolding, including a co-molding double-shot process.

Also, in the exemplary embodiment, beverage container 100 is assembled by inserting nozzle assembly 142 into third external cavity 122 on top end 124 of outer wall 108. Threaded coupling portion 146 is removably screwed through second top threaded portion 130 first, and removably screwed through first top threaded portion 128 second for securing nozzle assembly 142 to top end 124 of outer wall 108. When threaded coupling portion 146 is secured to top end 124, second top threaded portion 130 is available to receive another component.

Further, in the exemplary embodiment, beverage container 100 is assembled by forming wing-tipped top cover 105, including pair of wing-tips 138 and cover threaded portion 140. Wing-tips 138 and portion 140 are unitarily formed together, and are substantially formed of an opaque, durable, engineered plastic, for example, without limitation, TRITAN™ and polypropylene. Cover threaded portion 140 is screwed onto second cap threaded portion 130, wherein wing-tipped top cover 105 extends about and encloses nozzle assembly 142.

Moreover, beverage container 100 may be disassembled for cleaning by unscrewing wing-tipped top cover 105 from second cap threaded portion 130, unscrewing nozzle assembly 142 from first and second cap threaded portions 128, and 130, and emptying out any remaining liquid from interior containment volume 110. Beverage container 100 may be further disassembled by unscrewing base portion 134 from bottom end 120 of outer wall 108. The four disassembled pieces, that is wing-tipped top cover 105, thermal cartridge 104, nozzle assembly 142, and liquid containment assembly 106, may be cleaned via standard washing methods.

Specific materials are described herein to form beverage container 100. Alternative embodiments may be formed of any materials that enable operation of beverage container 100 as described herein including, but not limited to, light metallic and hard rubber materials.

In operation, thermal cartridge 104 is inserted into first external cavity 116 and second external cavity 118. A beverage is poured into interior containment volume 110 via third external cavity 122. Nozzle assembly 142 and top cover 105 are coupled to top end 124 of outer wall 108. The beverage comes into direct contact with inner wall 114 and thermal transfer between the beverage at a first temperature and thermal cartridge 104 at a second temperature is facilitated between thermal cartridge 104 and inner wall 114 for an extended period of time.

The beverage containers described herein, and the methods of assembling such beverage containers, facilitate storage and transport of cooled and/or heated beverages. Specifically, the beverage containers are assembled to maintain a temperature and/or a freshness of a beverage contained therein. More specifically, the beverage containers described herein provide sufficient cooling and/or heating capacity to facilitate extended periods away from refrigeration and/or external heating sources. Also, specifically, the beverage containers described herein include a bottom-loading, reusable cartridge that may be chilled and/or heated. Furthermore, the cartridge is inserted into a sleeve defined within a beverage compartment such that the cartridge and the beverage are separated by an inner wall of the beverage compartment. Moreover, specifically, the beverage containers are fabricated from reusable, sturdy, reliable, inexpensive, and easy-to-clean materials that are assembled to have sufficient strength and resiliency to withstand repeated use, including repeated washings, openings/closings, and rough handling during transport and storage. Also, the beverage containers described herein include only four parts that each facilitate ease of cleaning after each use and are then to be reused so as to reduce waste.

Exemplary embodiments of beverage containers are described above in detail. The methods, apparatus and systems are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein nor to the specific illustrated beverage containers.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims. 

1. A container assembly for maintaining a temperature of a liquid, the container assembly comprising: an outer wall defining an interior cavity for storing the liquid; and an inner wall indirectly connected to said outer wall and defining an external cavity configured to receive a thermal cartridge for maintaining the temperature of the liquid within said inner cavity, said thermal cartridge comprising: a base portion configured to couple said thermal cartridge to said container assembly; and an insert portion configured to be received by said external cavity, said base portion and said insert portion unitarily form said thermal cartridge.
 2. A container assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said inner wall is configured to separate said thermal cartridge from said interior cavity.
 3. A container assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said inner wall extends between a range of approximately 40% and 60% of a longitudinal length of said interior cavity.
 4. A container assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said thermal cartridge further comprises a thermal material for maintaining a predetermined temperature within said interior cavity.
 5. A container assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said external cavity defined by said inner wall is communicatively coupled to a second external cavity defined at least partially by said outer wall, said second external cavity configured to receive said base portion, said first external cavity configured to receive said insert portion.
 6. A container assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein said base portion comprises at least one threaded portion configured to engage at least one threaded portion positioned within said second external cavity.
 7. A container assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said insert portion is thermally coupled to said inner wall via a friction fit.
 8. A container assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said base portion is configured to facilitate positioning the container in a vertical upright position.
 9. A beverage container comprising: an outer wall partially defining an interior containment volume and a centerline axis extending longitudinally therethrough; an inner wall positioned within said interior containment volume, said inner wall substantially concentrically aligned with said outer wall and said longitudinal centerline axis, said inner wall at least partially defines a first external cavity; and a thermal cartridge comprising: a base portion configured to couple said thermal cartridge to said outer wall; and an insert portion configured to be received by said first external cavity, said base portion and said insert portion unitarily form said thermal cartridge, wherein said inner wall is configured to separate said thermal cartridge from said interior containment volume.
 10. A beverage container in accordance with claim 9, wherein said outer wall is substantially transparent.
 11. A beverage container in accordance with claim 9 further comprising: a nozzle assembly coupled to said outer wall; and a top cover coupled to said outer wall, wherein said top cover is configured to extend about and enclose said nozzle assembly.
 12. A beverage container in accordance with claim 11, wherein said nozzle assembly comprises: a mouth portion; a coupling portion; and a flexing portion, wherein said mouth portion, said coupling portion, and said flexing portion are unitarily formed.
 13. A beverage container in accordance with claim 12, wherein said coupling portion comprises at least one threaded portion configured to engage at least one upper threaded portion of said outer wall.
 14. A beverage container in accordance with claim 13, wherein said top cover comprises at least one threaded portion configured to engage said at least one upper threaded portion of said outer wall.
 15. A beverage container in accordance with claim 9, wherein said thermal cartridge further comprises a thermal material for maintaining a predetermined temperature within said beverage container
 16. A method of assembling a beverage container, said method comprising: providing a liquid containment assembly that includes: an outer wall partially defining an interior containment volume and a centerline axis extending longitudinally therethrough; and an inner wall positioned within the interior containment volume, the inner wall substantially concentrically aligned with the outer wall and the longitudinal centerline axis, wherein the inner wall at least partially defines a first external cavity; providing a thermal cartridge that includes a base portion and an insert portion that are unitarily formed together; inserting the insert portion into the first external cavity such that the thermal cartridge is separated from the interior containment volume; and coupling the base portion to the outer wall.
 17. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein providing a thermal cartridge comprises injecting a thermal material into at least one of the base portion and the insert portion.
 18. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein providing a liquid containment assembly comprises: at least partially defining a second external cavity on a bottom end of the outer wall, the second external cavity communicatively coupled to the first external cavity; defining at least one threaded portion on the bottom end of the outer wall within the second external cavity; and defining at least one threaded portion on a top end of the outer wall.
 19. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein coupling the base portion to the outer wall comprises: forming at least one threaded portion on the base portion; and screwing at least one threaded portion of the base portion onto the at least one threaded portion on the bottom end of the outer wall within the second external cavity.
 20. A method in accordance with claim 18 further comprising: forming at least one threaded portion on a nozzle assembly; coupling the nozzle assembly to the outer wall by screwing the at least one threaded portion of the nozzle assembly to the at least one threaded portion on the top end of the outer wall; forming at least one threaded portion on a top cover; and coupling the top cover to the outer wall by screwing the at least one threaded portion of the top cover to the at least one threaded portion on the top end of the outer wall, wherein the top cover extends about and encloses the nozzle assembly. 